Tuesday, May 26, 2026
    ADVT 
    National

    Rain, Melting Snow Pose Flooding Concerns Across B.C. As Evacuations Lift

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 May, 2018 11:30 AM
      Many people forced from their homes by flooding in southern British Columbia have been allowed to return, but officials say there are still areas of concern in many parts of the province.
       
       
      Evacuation orders for about 171 addresses in Grand Forks were lifted Tuesday, with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary saying the threat of flooding had decreased.
       
       
      Residents of more than 500 properties across the province remained out of their home, and another 6,500 were on evacuation alert, warned that they may need to leave at a moment's notice.
       
       
      The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said drones were used to re-evaluate its evacuation alerts and orders. Residents would be allowed to return to their homes "as soon as the situation is appropriate," the regional district said.
       
       
      Farmers and ranchers have been hit hard by the rising waters, said Agriculture Minister Lana Popham. Cows were removed from two dairy farms on an island in the Fraser River near Surrey, she said.  
       
       
      "The flooding is taking a toll on farming and ranching families again," Popham said, adding many agriculture operations were also affected by last summer's historic wildfire season.
       
       
      Temperatures have been unseasonably high across much of the province in recent weeks, melting snow faster than waterways can cope with it, said David Campbell of the River Forecast Centre.
       
       
      "We, not surprisingly, have seen ongoing, dramatic, rapid snowmelt across the province over the last few weeks," he said.
       
       
      Enough snow has melted to reduce the risk for many areas that have seen significant flooding, Campbell said, but large melting snowpacks could still overwhelm the Thompson and Fraser rivers, and waterways in the Kootenay region.
       
       
      Severe rainfall is also a concern, he added, because June is known to bring wet weather across the province.
       
       
      "It's difficult, really, to kind of stand down from the seasonal risk until we're well past those weather risks," he said.
       
       
      Chris Duffy of Emergency Management BC said there are still about 300 Canadian Forces personnel and about 380 wildfire crews helping with the flood response.
      Prev Next

      MORE National ARTICLES

      Prison Staff In B.C. Foil Pre-Christmas Drone Delivery Of Drugs, Cigarettes

      MATSQUI, B.C. — Vigilant staff members at a federal prison in British Columbia have seized a package of contraband they say was being smuggled into the institution by drone.

      Prison Staff In B.C. Foil Pre-Christmas Drone Delivery Of Drugs, Cigarettes

      High Avalanche Danger Complicates Successful Search For Three Sledders In B.C.

      High Avalanche Danger Complicates Successful Search For Three Sledders In B.C.
      Revelstoke RCMP say the two Alberta men, aged 39 and 51, were found early Friday, shortly after searchers resumed an air and land search.

      High Avalanche Danger Complicates Successful Search For Three Sledders In B.C.

      Public Funeral For Sisters Chloe And Aubrey Berry, Found Dead On Christmas Day

      Public Funeral For Sisters Chloe And Aubrey Berry, Found Dead On Christmas Day
      The District of Oak Bay held a candlelight vigil days after the deaths to allow distressed area residents to gather and share their grief.

      Public Funeral For Sisters Chloe And Aubrey Berry, Found Dead On Christmas Day

      B.C. Man Accused Of Threatening Woman With A Gun Appears In Court

      B.C. Man Accused Of Threatening Woman With A Gun Appears In Court
      Curtis Sagmoen is facing seven charges including pointing a firearm, uttering threats and disguising his face with the intent to commit an offence over allegations that date back to an August incident in the North Okanagan.

      B.C. Man Accused Of Threatening Woman With A Gun Appears In Court

      B.C.'s 2017 Home Sales Below 2016 Record, But Far Above Average Says BCREA

      B.C.'s 2017 Home Sales Below 2016 Record, But Far Above Average Says BCREA
      VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Real Estate Association says fewer homes were sold across the province in 2017 compared with the year earlier, but it says prices were up and sales remained above 100,000 for the third straight year. 

      B.C.'s 2017 Home Sales Below 2016 Record, But Far Above Average Says BCREA

      Metro Vancouver Transit Police Looking For Suspect Who Allegedly Threatened Passenger With Scissors

      Metro Vancouver Transit Police Looking For Suspect Who Allegedly Threatened Passenger With Scissors
      Metro Vancouver Transit Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who allegedly threatened a SkyTrain passenger with a pair of scissors.

      Metro Vancouver Transit Police Looking For Suspect Who Allegedly Threatened Passenger With Scissors

      PrevNext